2012-18714. Great Lakes Pilotage Rates-2013 Annual Review and Adjustment  

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    AGENCY:

    Coast Guard, DHS.

    ACTION:

    Notice of proposed rulemaking.

    SUMMARY:

    The Coast Guard proposes rate adjustments for pilotage services on the Great Lakes, which were last amended in February 2012. The proposed adjustments would establish new base rates and are made in accordance with a required full ratemaking procedure. The proposed update reflects changes in benchmark contractual wages and benefits and an adjustment for inflation. This rulemaking promotes the Coast Guard's strategic goal of maritime safety.

    DATES:

    Comments and related material must either be submitted to our online docket via http://www.regulations.gov on or before October 1, 2012 or reach the Docket Management Facility by that date.

    ADDRESSES:

    You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-2012-0409 using any one of the following methods:

    (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.

    (2) Fax: 202-493-2251.

    (3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.

    (4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.

    To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. See the “Public Participation and Request for Comments” portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on submitting comments.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    If you have questions on this proposed rule, call or email Mr. Todd Haviland, Management & Program Analyst, Office of Great Lakes Pilotage, Commandant (CG-WWM-2), Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-2037, email Todd.A.Haviland@uscg.mil, or fax 202-372-1909. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Table of Contents for Preamble

    I. Public Participation and Request for Comment

    A. Submitting Comments

    B. Viewing Comments and Documents

    C. Privacy Act

    D. Public Meeting

    II. Abbreviations

    III. Basis and Purpose

    IV. Background

    V. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    VI. Regulatory Analyses

    A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    B. Small Entities

    C. Assistance for Small Entities

    D. Collection of Information

    E. Federalism

    F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    G. Taking of Private Property

    H. Civil Justice Reform

    I. Protection of Children

    J. Indian Tribal Governments

    K. Energy Effects

    L. Technical Standards

    M. Environment

    I. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided.

    A. Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this rulemaking (USCG-2012-0409), indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. We recommend that you include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your submission.

    To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov and insert “USCG-2012-0409” in the “Search” box. Click on “Submit a Comment” in the “Actions” column. If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 81/2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope.

    We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period and may change this proposed rule based on your comments.

    B. Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov,, insert “USCG-2012-0409” and click “Search.” Click the “Open Docket Folder” in the “Actions” column. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may view the docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. We have an agreement with the Department of Transportation to use the Docket Management Facility.

    C. Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008 issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 3316).

    D. Public Meeting

    We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a request for one to the docket using one of the methods specified under ADDRESSES. In your request, explain why you believe a public meeting would be beneficial. If Start Printed Page 45540we determine that one would aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register.

    II. Abbreviations

    AMOU American Maritime Officers Union

    CFR Code of Federal Regulations

    CPI Consumer Price Index

    FR Federal Register

    MISLE Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement

    NAICS North American Industry Classification System

    NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking

    OMB Office of Management and Budget

    ROI Return on Investment

    § Section symbol

    U.S.C. United States Code

    III. Basis and Purpose

    The basis of this rulemaking is the Great Lakes Pilotage Act of 1960 (“the Act”) (46 U.S.C. Chapter 93), which requires U.S. vessels operating “on register” [1] and foreign vessels to use U.S. registered pilots while transiting the U.S. waters of the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes system. 46 U.S.C. 9302(a)(1). The Act requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to “prescribe by regulation rates and charges for pilotage services, giving consideration to the public interest and the costs of providing the services.” Rates must be established or reviewed and adjusted each year, not later than March 1. Base rates must be established by a full ratemaking at least once every 5 years, and in years when base rates are not established they must be reviewed and adjusted if necessary. 46 U.S.C. 9303(f). The Secretary's duties and authority under the Act have been delegated to the Coast Guard. Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1, paragraph (92)(f). Coast Guard regulations implementing the Act appear in parts 401 through 404 of Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Procedures for use in establishing base rates appear in 46 CFR part 404, Appendix A, and procedures for annual review and adjustment of existing base rates appear in 46 CFR part 404, Appendix C.

    The purpose of this rulemaking is to establish new base pilotage rates, using the 46 CFR part 404, Appendix A, methodology.

    IV. Background

    The vessels affected by this rulemaking are engaged in foreign trade upon the U.S. waters of the Great Lakes. U.S. and Canadian “Lakers,” [2] which account for most commercial shipping on the Great Lakes, are not affected. 46 U.S.C. 9302.

    The U.S. waters of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway are divided into three pilotage districts. Pilotage in each district is provided by an association certified by the Coast Guard Director of Great Lakes Pilotage to operate a pilotage pool. It is important to note that, while we set rates, we do not control the actual number of pilots an association maintains, so long as the association is able to provide safe, efficient, and reliable pilotage service. Also, we do not control the actual compensation that pilots receive. The actual compensation is determined by each of the three district associations, which use different compensation practices.

    District One, consisting of Areas 1 and 2, includes all U.S. waters of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. District Two, consisting of Areas 4 and 5, includes all U.S. waters of Lake Erie, the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, and the St. Clair River. District Three, consisting of Areas 6, 7, and 8, includes all U.S. waters of the St. Mary's River, Sault Ste. Marie Locks, and Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Superior. Area 3 is the Welland Canal, which is serviced exclusively by the Canadian Great Lakes Pilotage Authority and, accordingly, is not included in the U.S. rate structure. Areas 1, 5, and 7 have been designated by Presidential Proclamation, pursuant to the Act, to be waters in which pilots must at all times, be fully engaged in the navigation of vessels in their charge. Areas 2, 4, 6, and 8 have not been so designated because they are open bodies of water. While working in those undesignated areas, pilots must only “be on board and available to direct the navigation of the vessel at the discretion of and subject to the customary authority of the master.” 46 U.S.C. 9302(a)(1)(B).

    This rulemaking is a full ratemaking to establish new base pilotage rates, using the 46 CFR part 404, Appendix A, methodology. The last full ratemaking established the current base rates in 2012 (Final Rule, 77 FR 11752, February 28, 2012). Among other things, the Appendix A methodology requires us to review detailed pilot association financial information, and we contract with independent accountants to assist in that review. We have now completed our review of the independent accountant's 2010 financial reports. The comments by the pilot associations on those reports and the independent accountant's final findings are discussed in our document entitled “Summary—Independent Accountant's Report on Pilot Association Expenses, with Pilot Association Comments and Accountant's Responses,” which appears in the docket.

    V. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    A. Summary

    We propose establishing new base pilotage rates in accordance with the methodology outlined in Appendix A to 46 CFR part 404. The proposed new rates would be established by March 1, 2013 and effective August 1, 2013. They would average approximately 1.87 percent more, overall, than the February 2012 rate adjustments. Table 1 shows the proposed percent change for the new rates for each area.

    All figures in the tables that follow are based on calculations performed either by an independent accountant or by the Director's staff. In both cases those calculations were performed using common commercial computer programs. Decimalization and rounding of the audited and calculated data affects the display in these tables but does not affect the calculations. The calculations are based on the actual figure that rounds values for presentation in the tables.

    Table 1—Summary of Rate Adjustments

    If pilotage service is required in:Then the percent change over the current rate is:
    Area 1 (Designated waters)−1.41%
    Area 2 (Undesignated waters)−1.69
    Area 4 (Undesignated waters)8.87
    Area 5 (Designated waters)0.95
    Area 6 (Undesignated waters)4.31
    Area 7 (Designated waters)0.56
    Area 8 (Undesignated waters)1.52

    B. Discussion of Methodology

    The Appendix A methodology provides seven steps, with sub-steps, for calculating rate adjustments. The following discussion describes those steps and sub-steps and includes tables showing how we have applied them to the 2010 detailed pilot financial information.

    Step 1: Projection of Operating Expenses. In this step, we project the amount of vessel traffic annually. Based Start Printed Page 45541upon that projection, we forecast the amount of necessary and reasonable operating expenses that pilotage rates should recover.

    Step 1.A: Submission of Financial Information. This sub-step requires each pilot association to provide us with detailed financial information in accordance with 46 CFR part 403. The associations complied with this requirement, supplying 2010 financial information in 2011; this is the most current and complete data set we have available.

    Step 1.B: Determination of Recognizable Expenses. This sub-step requires us to determine which reported association expenses will be recognized for ratemaking purposes, using the guidelines shown in 46 CFR 404.5. We contracted with an independent accountant to review the reported expenses and submit findings recommending which reported expenses should be recognized. The accountant also reviewed which reported expenses should be adjusted prior to recognition, or if they should not be allowed for ratemaking purposes. The independent accountant made preliminary findings; they were sent to the pilot associations, and the pilot associations reviewed and commented on the preliminary findings. Then, the independent accountant made final findings. The Coast Guard Director of Great Lakes Pilotage reviewed and accepted those final findings, resulting in the determination of recognizable expenses. The preliminary findings, the associations' comments on those findings, and the final findings are all discussed in the “Summary—Independent Accountant's Report on Pilot Association Expenses, with Pilot Association Comments and Accountant's Responses,” which appears in the docket. Tables 2 through 4 show each association's recognized expenses.

    Table 2—Recognized Expenses for District One

    Reported expenses for 2010Area 1Area 2Total
    St. Lawrence RiverLake Ontario
    Pilot Costs:
    Other pilotage costs:
    Pilot subsistence/Travel$212,715$167,880$380,595
    License insurance23,88018,84742,727
    Payroll taxes000
    Other1,4321,1302,562
    Total other pilotage costs238,027187,857425,884
    Pilot Boat and Dispatch Costs:
    Pilot boat expense95,25475,178170,432
    Dispatch expense000
    Payroll taxes7,9626,28314,245
    Total pilot and dispatch costs103,21681,461184,677
    Administrative Expenses:
    Legal7,9596,28214,241
    Insurance13,97111,02624,997
    Employee benefits19,45415,35434,808
    Payroll taxes4,8163,8018,617
    Other taxes4,5043,5548,058
    Travel215169384
    Depreciation/auto leasing/other17,44013,76531,205
    Interest12,5769,92622,502
    Dues and subscriptions13,07510,31923,394
    Utilities5,1304,0499,179
    Salaries49,84039,33689,176
    Accounting/Professional fees4,9973,9438,940
    Other9,4087,42516,833
    Total Administrative Expenses163,385128,949292,334
    Total Operating Expenses504,628398,267902,895
    Proposed Adjustments (independent CPA):
    Operating Expenses:
    Other Pilot Costs:
    Pilotage Subsistence/Travel(7,747)(6,114)(13,861)
    Payroll taxes64,56350,955115,518
    Total other pilotage costs56,81644,841101,657
    Administrative Expenses:
    Legal7996311,430
    Employee benefits(1,537)(1,213)(2,750)
    Dues and subscriptions(13,075)(10,319)(23,394)
    Total Administrative Expenses(13,813)(10,901)(24,714)
    Total CPA Adjustments43,00333,94076,943
    Total Operating Expenses547,631432,207979,838
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    Table 3—Recognized Expenses for District Two

    Reported Expenses for 2010Area 4Area 5Total
    Lake ErieSoutheast Shoal to Port Huron, MI
    Operating Expenses:
    Other pilotage costs:
    Pilot subsistence/Travel$79,503$119,254$198,757
    License insurance6,1689,25215,420
    Payroll taxes53,45780,186133,643
    Other42,13063,195105,325
    Total other pilotage costs181,258271,887453,145
    Pilot Boat and Dispatch Costs:
    Pilot boat expense145,254217,882363,136
    Dispatch expense7,83011,74519,575
    Payroll taxes4,0566,08410,140
    Total pilot and dispatch costs157,140235,711392,851
    Administrative Expenses:
    Legal8,12012,18020,300
    Office rent26,27539,41365,688
    Insurance13,41020,11433,524
    Employee benefits24,42036,63161,051
    Payroll taxes2,9804,4717,451
    Other taxes19,10028,65147,751
    Depreciation/Auto leasing/Other22,95434,43157,385
    Interest14,79022,18536,975
    Dues and subscriptions6,2009,30015,500
    Utilities12,13818,20830,346
    Salaries46,61169,917116,528
    Accounting/Professional fees14,06721,10035,167
    Other16,15724,23540,392
    Total Administrative Expenses227,223340,835568,058
    Total Operating Expenses565,622848,4321,414,054
    Proposed Adjustments (independent CPA):
    Operating Expenses:
    Other Pilot Costs:
    Pilotage subsistence/Travel(3,999)(5,999)(9,998)
    Total other pilotage costs(3,999)(5,999)(9,998)
    Pilot boat and dispatch costs:
    Pilot boat expense(767)(1,150)(1,917)
    Total pilot boat and dispatch costs(767)(1,150)(1,917)
    Administrative Expenses:
    Legal(209)(314)(523)
    Office rent(809)(1,213)(2,022)
    Interest(11,268)(16,902)(28,170)
    Dues and subscriptions(6,200)(9,300)(15,500)
    Total Administrative Expenses(18,486)(27,729)(46,215)
    TOTAL CPA ADJUSTMENTS(23,252)(34,878)(58,130)
    Total Operating Expenses542,369813,5541,355,924
    Note: Numbers may not total due to rounding.

    Table 4—Recognized Expenses for District Three

    Reported expenses for 2010Area 6Area 7Area 8Total
    Lakes Huron and MichiganSt. Mary's RiverLake Superior
    Operating Expenses:
    Other Pilot Costs:
    Pilot subsistence/Travel$170,162$81,836$108,514$360,512
    License insurance9,2044,4265,86919,499
    Payroll taxes27,77413,35817,71258,844
    Other6303034021,335
    Total other pilotage costs207,77099,923132,497440,190
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    Pilot Boat and Dispatch Expenses:
    Pilot boat costs197,24494,861125,785417,890
    Dispatch expense72,55034,89146,266153,707
    Payroll taxes8,0683,8805,14517,093
    Total pilot boat and dispatch costs277,862133,632177,196588,690
    Administrative Expenses:
    Legal28,08913,50917,91359,511
    Office Rent4,6732,2472,9809,900
    Insurance6,5813,1654,19713,943
    Employee benefits57,94227,86636,950122,758
    Payroll taxes5,7092,7463,64112,096
    Other taxes15,3817,3979,80832,586
    Depreciation/auto leasing23,49511,29914,98349,777
    Interest1,5377399803,256
    Dues and subscriptions13,6766,5778,72128,974
    Utilities13,2236,3598,43228,014
    Salaries49,80223,95131,759105,512
    Accounting/professional fees11,8945,7207,58525,199
    Other5,5742,6813,55511,810
    Total administrative expenses237,576114,256151,504503,336
    Total Operating Expenses723,208347,811461,1971,532,216
    Proposed Adjustments (independent CPA):
    Other Pilot Costs:
    Payroll taxes26,21312,60616,71655,535
    Total other pilotage costs26,21312,60616,71655,535
    Pilot Boat and Dispatch Expenses:
    Dispatch costs(2,170)(1,044)(1,384)(4,598)
    Total pilot boat and dispatch costs(2,170)(1,044)(1,384)(4,598)
    Administrative Expenses:
    Legal(1,454)(699)(927)(3,080)
    Dues and subscriptions(13,676)(6,577)(8,721)(28,974)
    Other(1,255)(603)(800)(2,658)
    Total administrative expenses(16,385)(7,879)(10,448)(34,712)
    Total CPA Adjustments7,6583,6834,88416,225
    Total Operating Expenses730,866351,494466,0811,548,441
    Note: Numbers may not total due to rounding.

    Step 1.C: Adjustment for Inflation or Deflation. In this sub-step we project rates of inflation or deflation for the succeeding navigation season. Because we used 2010 financial information, the “succeeding navigation season” for this ratemaking is 2011. We based our inflation adjustment of 3.2 percent on the 2011 change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Midwest Region of the United States, which can be found at: http://www.bls.gov/​xg_​shells/​ro5xg01.htm. This adjustment appears in Tables 5 through 7.

    Table 5—Inflation Adjustment, District One

    Reported expenses for 2010Area 1Area 2Total
    St. Lawrence RiverLake Ontario
    Total Operating Expenses$547,631$432,207$979,838
    2011 change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Midwest Region of the United States×.032×.032×.032
    Inflation Adjustment=$17,524=$13,831=$31,355
    Start Printed Page 45544

    Table 6—Inflation Adjustment, District Two

    Reported expenses for 2010Area 4Area 5Total
    Lake ErieSoutheast Shoal to Port Huron, MI
    Total Operating Expenses$542,369$813,554$1,355,924
    2011 change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Midwest Region of the United States×.032×.032×.032
    Inflation Adjustment=$17,356=$26,034=$43,390

    Table 7—Inflation Adjustment, District Three

    Reported expenses for 2010Area 6Area 7Area 8Total
    Lake Huron and MichiganSt. Mary's RiverLake Superior
    Total Operating Expenses$730,866$351,494$466,081$1,548,441
    2011 change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Midwest Region of the United States×.032×.032×.032×.032
    Inflation Adjustment=$23,388=$11,248=$14,915=$49,550

    Step 1.D: Projection of Operating Expenses. The final sub-step of Step 1 is to project the operating expenses for each pilotage area, on the basis of the preceding sub-steps and any other foreseeable circumstances that could affect the accuracy of the projection. Based on comments and supporting material received for the 2012 Appendix A NPRM, we determined that foreseeable circumstances exist in District One.

    Eight months of District One's pilot boat mortgage payments and boat insurance qualify as foreseeable circumstances. For District One, the projected operating expenses are based on the calculations from Sub-steps 1.A through 1.C and the aforementioned foreseeable circumstances. Table 8 shows these projections.

    Table 8—Projected Operating Expenses, District One

    Reported expenses for 2010Area 1Area 2Total
    St. Lawrence RiverLake Ontario
    Total operating expenses$547,631$432,207$979,838
    Inflation adjustment 3.2%+17,524+13,831+31,355
    Director's adjustment & foreseeable circumstances
    Pilot boat mortgage payments+26,429+20,815+47,244
    Pilot boat insurance+7,221+5,687+12,908
    Total projected expenses for 2012 pilotage season=$598,805=$472,540=$1,071,344
    Note: Numbers may not total due to rounding.

    During the audit for the 2013 Appendix A rulemaking, the independent accountant informed us that District Two applied for and received a Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) subsidy for the first and second quarter of 2010. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided for a temporary premium subsidy for COBRA continuation coverage. The amount of the COBRA insurance subsidy for the period 2010 was $60,460. Federal taxes of $18,400 are accounted for in Step 6 (Federal Tax Allowance). For District Two, the projected operating expenses are based on the calculations from Sub-steps 1.A through 1.C, the COBRA subsidy, and Federal taxes. Table 9 shows these projections.

    Table 9—Projected Operating Expenses, District Two

    Reported expenses for 2010Area 4Area 5Total
    Lake ErieSoutheast Shoal to Port Huron, MI
    Total Operating Expenses$542,369$813,554$1,355,924
    Inflation Adjustment 3.2%+17,356+26,034+43,390
    Director's adjustment & foreseeable circumstances
    American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Subsidy+(24,184)+(36,276)+(60,460)
    Federal taxes (accounted for in Step 6)+(7,360)+(11,040)+(18,400)
    Start Printed Page 45545
    Total projected expenses for 2013 pilotage season=$528,182=$792,272=$1,320,454

    Because we are not now aware of any such foreseeable circumstances for District 3, its projected operating expenses are based exclusively on the calculations from Sub-steps 1.A through 1.C. Table 10 shows these projections.

    Table 10—Projected Operating Expenses, District Three

    Reported expenses for 2010Area 6Area 7Area 8Total
    Lakes Huron and MichiganSt. Mary's RiverLake Superior
    Total Expenses$730,866$351,494$466,081$1,548,441
    Inflation Adjustment 3.2%+23,388+11,248+14,915+49,550
    Total projected expenses for 2013 pilotage season=$754,254=$362,742=$480,996=$1,597,991

    Step 2: Projection of Target Pilot Compensation. In Step 2, we project the annual amount of target pilot compensation that pilotage rates should provide in each area. These projections are based on our latest information on the conditions that will prevail in 2013.

    Step 2.A: Determination of Target Rate of Compensation. Target pilot compensation for pilots in undesignated waters approximates the average annual compensation for first mates on U.S. Great Lakes vessels. Compensation is determined based on the most current union contracts and includes wages and benefits received by first mates. We calculate target pilot compensation for pilots on designated waters by multiplying the average first mates' wages by 150 percent and then adding the average first mates' benefits.

    The most current union contracts available to us are American Maritime Officers Union (AMOU) contracts with three U.S. companies engaged in Great Lakes shipping. There are two separate AMOU contracts available—we refer to them as Agreements A and B and apportion the compensation provided by each agreement according to the percentage of tonnage represented by companies under each agreement. Agreement A applies to vessels operated by Key Lakes, Inc., and Agreement B applies to all vessels operated by American Steamship Co. and Mittal Steel USA, Inc.

    Both Agreements A and B expire on July 31, 2016. For the 2011 Appendix C and 2012 Appendix A rulemakings we did not have the current contracts and projected target pilot compensation based on historic data. We have adjusted our projections and recalculated compensation based upon the new contracts. Under Agreement A, we project that the daily wage rate would decrease from $278.73 to $270.61. Under Agreement B, the daily wage rate would increase from $343.59 to $368.05.

    Because we are interested in annual compensation, we must convert these daily rates. Agreements A and B both use monthly multipliers to convert daily rates into monthly figures that represent actual working days and vacation, holiday, weekend, or bonus days. The monthly multiplier for Agreement A is 54.5 days and the monthly multiplier for Agreement B is 49.5 days. We multiply the monthly figures by 9, which represents the average length (in months) of the Great Lakes shipping season. Table 11 shows our calculations.

    Table 11—Projected Wage Components

    Monthly componentPilots on undesignated watersPilots on designated waters
    Agreement A:
    $270.61 daily rate × 54.5 days$14,748.25$22,122.38
    Monthly total × 9 months = total wages132,734199,101
    Agreement B:
    $368.05 daily rate x 49.5 days18,218.4827,327.71
    Monthly total x 9 months = total wages163,966245,949

    Based on the contracts of both Agreements A and B, we will adjust their health benefits and pension contributions and leave 401K-plan contributions unchanged. Health benefits for Agreement A will decrease this benefit from $107.40 to $52.96 per day, and Agreement B will decrease this benefit from $107.40 to $105.61 per day. The multiplier that both agreements use to calculate monthly benefits from daily rates is currently 45.5 days, and we project that will remain unchanged. Agreement A eliminated pension contributions, and Agreement B increased the pension contribution from $43.55 to $44.61 per day. Agreements A and B maintained 401K plan contributions at 5 percent of the monthly wage. We use a 9-month multiplier to calculate the annual value Start Printed Page 45546of these benefits. Table 12 shows our calculations.

    Table 12—Projected Benefits Components

    Monthly componentPilots on undesignated watersPilots on designated waters
    Agreement A:
    Employer contribution, 401K plan (Monthly wages × 5%)$737.41$1,106.12
    Pension = $0.00 × 45.5 days0.000.00
    Health = $52.96 × 45.5 days2,409.682,409.68
    Monthly total benefits3,147.093,515.80
    Monthly total benefits × 9 months28,323.8131,642.20
    Agreement B:
    Employer contribution, 401K plan (Monthly wages × 5%)910.921,366.38
    Pension = $44.61 × 45.5 days2,029.762,029.76
    Health = $105.61 × 45.5 days4,805.264,805.26
    Monthly total benefits7,745.948,201.40
    Monthly total benefits × 9 months69,713.4673,812.60

    Table 13 combines our projected wage and benefit components of annual target pilot compensation.

    Table 13—Projected Wage and Benefits Components, Combined

    Pilots on undesignated watersPilots on designated waters
    Agreement A:
    Wages$132,734$199,101
    Benefits28,32431,642
    Total161,058230,744
    Agreement B:
    Wages163,966245,949
    Benefits69,71373,813
    Total233,680319,762

    Agreements A and B affect three companies. Of the tonnage operating under those three companies, approximately 30 percent operates under Agreement A and approximately 70 percent operates under Agreement B. Table 14 provides details.

    Table 14—Shipping Tonnage Apportioned by Contract

    CompanyAgreement AAgreement B
    American Steamship Company815,600
    Mittal Steel USA, Inc38,826
    Key Lakes, Inc361,385
    Total tonnage, each agreement361,385854,426
    Percent tonnage, each agreement361,385 ÷ 1,215,811 = 29.7238%854,426 ÷ 1,215,811 = 70.2762%

    We use the percentages from Table 14 to apportion the projected wage and benefit components from Table 13. This gives us a single tonnage-weighted set of figures. Table 15 shows our calculations.

    Table 15—Tonnage-Weighted Wage and Benefit Components

    Undesignated watersDesignated waters
    Agreement A:
    Total wages and benefits$161,058$230,744
    Percent tonnage×29.7238%×29.7238%
    Start Printed Page 45547
    Total=$47,873=$68,586
    Agreement B:
    Total wages and benefits$233,680$319,762
    Percent tonnage×70.2762%×70.2762%
    Total=$164,221=$224,717
    Projected Target Rate of Compensation
    Agreement A total weighted average wages and benefits$47,873$68,586
    Agreement B total weighted average wages and benefits+$164,221+$224,717
    Total=$212,094=$293,302

    Step 2.B: Determination of the Number of Pilots Needed. Subject to adjustment by the Coast Guard Director of Great Lakes Pilotage to ensure uninterrupted service or for other reasonable circumstances, we determine the number of pilots needed for ratemaking purposes in each area by dividing projected bridge hours for each area, by either 1,000 (designated waters) or 1,800 (undesignated waters) bridge hours. We round the mathematical results and express our determination as whole pilots.

    “Bridge hours are the number of hours a pilot is aboard a vessel providing pilotage service,” 46 CFR part 404, Appendix A, Step 2.B(1). For that reason and as we explained most recently in the 2011 ratemaking's final rule, we do not include, and never have included, pilot delay, detention, or cancellation in calculating bridge hours. See 76 FR 6351 at 6352 col. 3 (February 4, 2011). Projected bridge hours are based on the vessel traffic that pilots are expected to serve. We use historical data, input from the pilots and industry, periodicals and trade magazines, and information from conferences to project demand for pilotage services for the coming year.

    In our 2012 final rule, we determined that 38 pilots would be needed for ratemaking purposes. We have determined that 38 remains the proper number to use for ratemaking purposes in 2013. This includes five pilots in Area 2, where rounding up alone would result in only four pilots. For the same reasons we explained at length in the final rule for the 2008 ratemaking, 74 FR 220 at 221-22 (January 5, 2009) which is available in the docket, we have determined that this adjustment is essential for ensuring uninterrupted pilotage service in Area 2. Table 16 shows the bridge hours we project will be needed for each area and our calculations to determine the number of whole pilots needed for ratemaking purposes.

    Table 16—Number of Pilots Needed

    Pilotage areaProjected 2013 bridge hoursDivided by 1,000 (designated waters) or 1,800 (undesignated waters)Calculated value of pilot demandPilots needed (total = 38)
    Area 1 (Designated waters)5,216÷1,000=5.2166
    Area 2 (Undesignated waters)5,509÷1,800=3.0615
    Area 4 (Undesignated waters)6,814÷1,800=3.7854
    Area 5 (Designated waters)5,102÷1,000=5.1026
    Area 6 (Undesignated waters)11,411÷1,800=6.3397
    Area 7 (Designated waters)3,223÷1,000=3.2234
    Area 8 (Undesignated waters)9,540÷1,800=5.3006

    Step 2.C: Projection of Target Pilot Compensation. In Table 17 we project total target pilot compensation separately for each area, by multiplying the number of pilots needed in each area, as shown in Table 16, by the target pilot compensation shown in Table 15.

    Table 17—Projection of Target Pilot Compensation by Area

    Pilotage areaPilots needed (total = 38)Target rate of pilot compensationProjected target pilot compensation
    Area 1 (Designated waters)6×$293,302=$1,759,814
    Area 2 (Undesignated waters)5×212,094=1,060,469
    Area 4 (Undesignated waters)4×212,094=848,375
    Area 5 (Designated waters)6×293,302=1,759,814
    Area 6 (Undesignated waters)7×212,094=1,484,657
    Area 7 (Designated waters)4×293,302=1,173,209
    Start Printed Page 45548
    Area 8 (Undesignated waters)6×212,094=1,272,563
    Note: Numbers may not total due to rounding.

    Step 3 and 3.A: Projection of Revenue. In this step, we project the revenue that would be received in 2013 if demand for pilotage services matches the bridge hours we projected in Table 16, and if 2012 pilotage rates were left unchanged. Table 18 shows this calculation.

    Table 18—Projection of Revenue by Area

    Pilotage areaProjected 2013 bridge hours2012 Pilotage ratesRevenue projection for 2013
    Area 1 (Designated waters)5,216$467.58=$2,438,897
    Area 2 (Undesignated waters)5,509×289.72=1,596,067
    Area 4 (Undesignated waters)6,814×188.54=1,284,712
    Area 5 (Designated waters)5,102×504.11=2,571,969
    Area 6 (Undesignated waters)11,411×191.69=2,187,375
    Area 7 (Designated waters)3,223×480.26=1,547,878
    Area 8 (Undesignated waters)9,540×183.87=1,754,120
    Total13,381,018

    Step 4: Calculation of Investment Base. This step calculates each association's investment base, the recognized capital investment in the assets employed by the association required to support pilotage operations. This step uses a formula set out in 46 CFR part 404, Appendix B. The first part of the formula identifies each association's total sources of funds. Tables 19 through 21 follow the formula up to that point.

    Table 19—Total Sources of Funds, District One

    Area 1Area 2
    Recognized Assets:
    Total Current Assets$681,485$537,847
    Total Current Liabilities78,00561,564
    Current Notes Payable+22,168+17,496
    Total Property and Equipment (NET)+374,021+295,189
    Land12,3159,720
    Total Other Assets+0+0
    Total Recognized Assets=987,354=779,248
    Non-Recognized Assets:
    Total Investments and Special Funds+6,103+4,817
    Total Non-Recognized Assets=6,103=4,817
    Total Assets:
    Total Recognized Assets987,354779,248
    Total Non-Recognized Assets+6,103+4,817
    Total Assets=993,457=784,065
    Recognized Sources of Funds:
    Total Stockholder Equity659,702520,656
    Long-Term Debt+323,902+255,633
    Current Notes Payable+22,168+17,496
    Advances from Affiliated Companies+0+0
    Long-Term Obligations—Capital Leases+0+0
    Total Recognized Sources=1,005,772=793,785
    Non-Recognized Sources of Funds:
    Pension Liability00
    Other Non-Current Liabilities+0+0
    Deferred Federal Income Taxes+0+0
    Other Deferred Credits+0+0
    Total Non-Recognized Sources=0=0
    Total Sources of Funds:
    Total Recognized Sources1,005,772793,785
    Start Printed Page 45549
    Total Non-Recognized Sources+0+0
    Total Sources of Funds=1,005,772=793,785

    Table 20—Total Sources of Funds, District Two

    Area 4Area 5
    Recognized Assets:
    Total Current Assets$454,842$1,026,731
    Total Current Liabilities449,1571,013,899
    Current Notes Payable+0+0
    Total Property and Equipment (NET)+312,858+706,224
    Land00
    Total Other Assets+0+0
    Total Recognized Assets=318,543=719,056
    Non-Recognized Assets:
    Total Investments and Special Funds+0+0
    Total Non-Recognized Assets=0=0
    Total Assets:
    Total Recognized Assets318,543719,056
    Total Non-Recognized Assets+0+0
    Total Assets=318,543=719,056
    Recognized Sources of Funds:
    Total Stockholder Equity60,920137,517
    Long-Term Debt+257,622+581,540
    Current Notes Payable+0+0
    Advances from Affiliated Companies+0+0
    Long-Term Obligations—Capital Leases+0+0
    Total Recognized Sources=318,542=719,057
    Non-Recognized Sources of Funds:
    Pension Liability00
    Other Non-Current Liabilities+0+0
    Deferred Federal Income Taxes+0+0
    Other Deferred Credits+0+0
    Total Non-Recognized Sources=0=0
    Total Sources of Funds:
    Total Recognized Sources318,542719,057
    Total Non-Recognized Sources+0+0
    Total Sources of Funds=318,542=719,057

    Table 21—Total Sources of Funds, District Three

    Area 6Area 7Area 8
    Recognized Assets:
    Total Current Assets$1,009,619$485,558$643,846
    Total Current Liabilities123,90659,59079,016
    Current Notes Payable+0+0+0
    Total Property and Equipment (NET)+35,709+17,174+22,772
    Land000
    Total Other Assets+354+170+226
    Total Recognized Assets=921,776=443,312=587,828
    Non-Recognized Assets:
    Total Investments and Special Funds+0+0+0
    Total Non-Recognized Assets=0=0=0
    Total Assets:
    Total Recognized Assets921,776443,312587,828
    Total Non-Recognized Assets+0+0+0
    Total Assets=921,776=443,312=587,828
    Recognized Sources of Funds:
    Total Stockholder Equity921,776443,321587,828
    Start Printed Page 45550
    Long-Term Debt+0+0+0
    Current Notes Payable+0+0+0
    Advances from Affiliated Companies+0+0+0
    Long-Term Obligations—Capital Leases+0+0+0
    Total Recognized Sources=921,776=443,321=587,828
    Non-Recognized Sources of Funds:
    Pension Liability000
    Other Non-Current Liabilities+0+0+0
    Deferred Federal Income Taxes+0+0+0
    Other Deferred Credits+0+0+0
    Total Non-Recognized Sources=0=0=0
    Total Sources of Funds:
    Total Recognized Sources921,776443,321587,828
    Total Non-Recognized Sources+0+0+0
    Total Sources of Funds=921,776=443,321=587,828

    Tables 19 through 21 also relate to the second part of the formula for calculating the investment base. The second part establishes a ratio between recognized sources of funds and total sources of funds. Since no non-recognized sources of funds (sources we do not recognize as required to support pilotage operations) exist for any of the pilot associations for this year's rulemaking, the ratio between recognized sources of funds and total sources of funds is “1:1” (or a multiplier of “1”) in all cases. Table 22 applies the multiplier of “1,” and shows that the investment base for each association equals its total recognized assets. Table 22 also expresses these results by area, because area results will be needed in subsequent steps.

    Table 22—Investment Base by Area and District

    DistrictAreaTotal recognized assets ($)Recognized sources of funds ($)Total sources of funds ($)Multiplier (ratio of recognized to total sources)Investment base ($) 1
    One1987,3541,005,7721,005,7721987,354
    2779,248793,785793,7851779,248
    Total1,766,602
    Two 24318,543318,542318,5421318,543
    5719,056719,057719,0571719,056
    Total1,037,599
    Three6921,776921,776921,7761921,776
    7443,312443,312443,3121443,312
    8587,828587,828587,8281587,828
    Total1,952,916
    1Note: “Investment base” = “Total recognized assets” × “Multiplier (ratio of recognized to total sources)”.
    2Note: The pilot associations that provide pilotage services in Districts One and Three operate as partnerships. The pilot association that provides pilotage service for District Two operates as a corporation.

    Step 5: Determination of Target Rate of Return. We determine a market-equivalent return on investment (ROI) that will be allowed for the recognized net capital invested in each association by its members. We do not recognize capital that is unnecessary or unreasonable for providing pilotage services. There are no non-recognized investments in this year's calculations. The allowed ROI is based on the preceding year's average annual rate of return for new issues of high-grade corporate securities. For 2011, the preceding year, the allowed ROI was a little more than 4.64 percent, based on the average rate of return that year on Moody's AAA corporate bonds, which can be found at: http://research.stlouisfed.org/​fred2/​series/​AAA/​downloaddata?​cid=​119.

    Step 6: Adjustment Determination. The first Sub-step in the adjustment determination requires an initial calculation, applying a formula described in Appendix A. The formula uses the results from Steps 1, 2, 3, and 4 to project the ROI that can be expected in each area, if no further adjustments are made. This calculation is shown in Tables 23 through 25.Start Printed Page 45551

    Table 23—Projected ROI, Areas in District One

    Area 1Area 2
    Revenue (from Step 3)+$2,438,897+$1,596,067
    Operating Expenses (from Step 1)598,805472,540
    Pilot Compensation (from Step 2)1,759,8141,060,469
    Operating Profit/(Loss)=80,278=63,059
    Interest Expense (from audits)12,5769,926
    Earnings Before Tax=67,702=53,133
    Federal Tax Allowance00
    Net Income=67,702=53,133
    Return Element (Net Income + Interest)80,27863,059
    Investment Base (from Step 4)÷987,354÷779,248
    Projected Return on Investment=0.08=0.08

    Table 24—Projected ROI, Areas in District Two

    Area 4Area 5
    Revenue (from Step 3)+$1,284,712+$2,571,969
    Operating Expenses (from Step 1)$528,181$792,272
    Pilot Compensation (from Step 2)$848,375$1,759,814
    Operating Profit/(Loss)=($91,845)=$19,883
    Interest Expense (from audits)$3,522$5,283
    Earnings Before Tax=($95,367)=$14,600
    Federal Tax Allowance$7,360$11,040
    Net Income=($102,727)=$3,560
    Return Element (Net Income + Interest)($99,205)$8,843
    Investment Base (from Step 4)÷$318,543÷$719,056
    Projected Return on Investment=(0.31)=0.01

    Table 25—Projected ROI, Areas in District Three

    Area 6Area 7Area 8
    Revenue (from Step 3)+$2,187,375+$1,547,878+$1,754,120
    Operating Expenses (from Step 1)$754,254$362,742$480,996
    Pilot Compensation (from Step 2)$1,484,657$1,173,209$1,272,563
    Operating Profit/(Loss)=($51,536)=$11,927=561
    Interest Expense (from audits)$1,537$739$980
    Earnings Before Tax=($53,073)=$11,188=($419)
    Federal Tax Allowance$0$0$0
    Net Income=($53,073)=$11,188=($419)
    Return Element (Net Income + Interest)($51,536)$11,927$561
    Investment Base (from Step 4)÷$921,776÷$443,312÷$587,828
    Projected Return on Investment=(0.06)=0.03=0.00

    The second sub-step required for Step 6 compares the results of Tables 23 through 25 with the target ROI (approximately 4.64 percent) we obtained in Step 5 to determine if an adjustment to the base pilotage rate is necessary. Table 26 shows this comparison for each area.

    Table 26—Comparison of Projected ROI and Target ROI, by Area 1

    Area 1Area 2Area 4Area 5Area 6Area 7Area 8
    St. Lawrence RiverLake OntarioLake ErieSoutheast Shoal to Port Huron, MILakes Huron and MichiganSt. Mary's RiverLake Superior
    Projected return on investment0.0810.081(0.288)0.028(0.056)0.0270.001
    Target return on investment0.0460.0460.0460.0460.0460.0460.046
    Difference in return on investment0.0350.035(0.335)(0.019)(0.102)(0.019)(0.045)
    1Note: Decimalization and rounding of the target ROI affects the display in this table but does not affect our calculations, which are based on the actual figure.

    Because Table 26 shows a significant difference between the projected and target ROIs, an adjustment to the base pilotage rates is necessary. Step 6 now requires us to determine the pilotage revenues that are needed to make the target return on investment equal to the projected return on investment. This calculation is shown in Table 27. It adjusts the investment base we used in Step 4, multiplying it by the target ROI from Step 5, and applies the result to Start Printed Page 45552the operating expenses and target pilot compensation determined in Steps 1 and 2.

    Table 27—Revenue Needed To Recover Target ROI, by Area

    Pilotage areaOperating expenses (Step 1)Target pilot compensation (Step 2)Investment base (step 4) × 4.64% (target ROI Step 5)Federal tax allowanceRevenue needed
    Area 1 (Designated waters)$598,805+$1,759,814+$45,805+$0=$2,404,424
    Area 2 (Undesignated waters)472,540+1,060,469+36,151+0=1,569,160
    Area 4 (Undesignated waters)528,181+848,375+14,778+7,360=1,398,694
    Area 5 (Designated waters)792,272+1,759,814+33,358+11,040=2,596,484
    Area 6 (Undesignated waters)754,254+1,484,657+42,763+0=2,281,673
    Area 7 (Designated waters)362,742+1,173,209+20,566+0=1,556,517
    Area 8 (Undesignated waters)480,996+1,272,563+27,270+0=1,780,829
    Total3,989,788+9,358,902+220,691+18,400=13,587,781

    The “Revenue Needed” column of Table 27 is more than the revenue we projected in Table 18. For purposes of transparency, we verify Table 27's calculations by rerunning the first part of Step 6, using the revenue needed from Table 27 instead of the Table 18 revenue projections we used in Tables 23 through 25. Tables 28 through 30 show that attaining the Table 27 revenue needed is sufficient to recover target ROI.

    Table 28—Balancing Revenue Needed and Target ROI, District One

    Area 1Area 2
    Revenue Needed+$2,404,424+$1,569,160
    Operating Expenses (from Step 1)$598,805$472,540
    Pilot Compensation (from Step 2)$1,759,814$1,060,469
    Operating Profit/(Loss)=$45,805=$36,151
    Interest Expense (from audits)$12,576$9,926
    Earnings Before Tax=$33,229=$26,225
    Federal Tax Allowance$0$0
    Net Income=$33,229=$26,225
    Return Element (Net Income + Interest)$45,805$36,151
    Investment Base (from Step 4)÷$987,354÷$779,248
    Return on Investment=0.0464=0.0464

    Table 29—Balancing Revenue Needed and Target ROI, District Two

    Area 4Area 5
    Revenue Needed+$1,398,694+$2,596,484
    Operating Expenses (from Step 1)$528,181$792,272
    Pilot Compensation (from Step 2)$848,375$1,759,814
    Operating Profit/(Loss)=$22,138=$44,398
    Interest Expense (from audits)$3,522$5,283
    Earnings Before Tax=$18,616=$39,115
    Federal Tax Allowance$7,360$11,040
    Net Income=$11,256=$28,075
    Return Element (Net Income + Interest)$14,778$33,358
    Investment Base (from Step 4)÷$318,543÷$719,056
    Return on Investment=0.0464=0.0464

    Table 30—Balancing Revenue Needed and Target ROI, District Three

    Area 6Area 7Area 8
    Revenue Needed+$2,281,673+$1,556,517+$1,780,829
    Operating Expenses (from Step 1)$754,254$362,742$480,996
    Pilot Compensation (from Step 2)$1,484,657$1,173,209$1,272,563
    Operating Profit/(Loss)=$42,763=$20,566=$27,270
    Interest Expense (from audits)$1,537$739$980
    Earnings Before Tax=$41,226=$19,827=$26,290
    Federal Tax Allowance$0$0$0
    Net Income=$41,226=$19,827=$26,290
    Return Element (Net Income + Interest)$42,763$20,566$27,270
    Investment Base (from Step 4)÷$921,776÷$443,312÷$587,828
    Start Printed Page 45553
    Return on Investment=0.0464=0.0464=0.0464

    Step 7: Adjustment of Pilotage Rates. Finally, and subject to negotiation with Canada or adjustment for other supportable circumstances, we calculate rate adjustments by dividing the Step 6 revenue needed (Table 27) by the Step 3 revenue projection (Table 18), to give us a rate multiplier for each area. Tables 31 through 33 show these calculations.

    Table 31—Rate Multiplier, Areas in District One

    Ratemaking projectionsArea 1Area 2
    St. Lawrence RiverLake Ontario
    Revenue Needed (from Step 6)$2,404,424$1,569,160
    Revenue (from Step 3)÷$2,438,897÷$1,596,067
    Rate Multiplier=0.9859=0.9831

    Table 32—Rate Multiplier, Areas in District Two

    Ratemaking projectionsArea 4Area 5
    Lake ErieSoutheast Shoal to Port Huron, MI
    Revenue Needed (from Step 6)$1,398,694$2,596,484
    Revenue (from Step 3)÷$1,284,712÷$2,571,969
    Rate Multiplier=1.0887=1.0095

    Table 33—Rate Multiplier, Areas in District Three

    Ratemaking projectionsArea 6 Lakes Huron and MichiganArea 7 St. Mary's RiverArea 8 Lake Superior
    Revenue Needed (from Step 6)$2,281,673$1,556,517$1,780,829
    Revenue (from Step 3)÷$2,187,375÷$1,547,878÷$1,754,120
    Rate Multiplier=1.0431=1.0056=1.0152

    Rates for cancellation, delay, or interruption in rendering services (46 CFR 401.420) and basic rates and charges for carrying a U.S. pilot beyond the normal change point, or for boarding at other than the normal boarding point (46 CFR 401.428), would increase by 1.55 percent in all areas.

    We calculate a rate multiplier for adjusting the basic rates and charges described in 46 CFR 401.420 and 401.428 and applicable in all areas. We divide total revenue needed (Step 6, Table 27) by total projected revenue (Step 3 & 3A, Table 18). Our proposed rate changes for 46 CFR 401.420 and 401.428 reflect the multiplication of the rates we established for those sections in our 2012 final rule, by the rate multiplier shown as the result of our calculation in Table 34.

    Table 34—Rate Multiplier for Basic Rates and Charges in 46 CFR 401.420 and 401.428

    Ratemaking Projections
    Total Revenue Needed (from Step 6)$13,587,781
    Total revenue (from Step 3)÷$13,381,018
    Rate Multiplier=1.0155

    We multiply the existing rates we established in our 2012 final rule by the rate multipliers from Tables 31 through 33 to calculate the area by area rate changes we propose for 2013. Tables 35 through 37 show these calculations.Start Printed Page 45554

    Table 35—Proposed Adjustment of Pilotage Rates, Areas in District One

    2012 RateRate multiplierAdjusted rate for 2013
    Area 1 St. Lawrence River:
    Basic Pilotage$19.02/km, $33.67/mi×0.986=$18.75/km, $33.19/mi
    Each lock Transited$422×0.986=$416
    Harbor movage$1,381×0.986=$1,361
    Minimum basic rate, St. Lawrence River$921×0.986=$908
    Maximum rate, through trip$4,041×0.986=$3,984
    Area 2 Lake Ontario:
    6-Hour period$865×0.983=$851
    Docking or Undocking$826×0.983=$812
    Note: Numbers may not total due to rounding.

    Table 36—Proposed Adjustment of Pilotage Rates, Areas in District Two

    2012 RateRate multiplierAdjusted rate for 2013
    Area 4 Lake Erie:
    6-Hour period$760×1.089=$828
    Docking or undocking585×1.089=637
    Any point on Niagara River below Black Rock Lock1,493×1.089=1,626
    Area 5 Southeast Shoal to Port Huron, MI between any point on or in:
    Toledo or any point on Lake Erie W. of Southeast Shoal1,369×1.010=1,382
    Toledo or any point on Lake Erie W. of Southeast Shoal & Southeast Shoal2,317×1.010=2,339
    Toledo or any point on Lake Erie W. of Southeast Shoal & Detroit River3,008×1.010=3,037
    Toledo or any point on Lake Erie W. of Southeast Shoal & Detroit Pilot Boat2,317×1.010=2,339
    Port Huron Change Point & Southeast Shoal (when pilots are not changed at the Detroit Pilot Boat)4,036×1.010=4,074
    Port Huron Change Point & Toledo or any point on Lake Erie W. of Southeast Shoal (when pilots are not changed at the Detroit Pilot Boat)4,675×1.010=4,719
    Port Huron Change Point & Detroit River3,031×1.010=3,060
    Port Huron Change Point & Detroit Pilot Boat2,358×1.010=2,381
    Port Huron Change Point & St. Clair River1,677×1.010=1,693
    St. Clair River1,369×1.010=1,382
    St. Clair River & Southeast Shoal (when pilots are not changed at the Detroit Pilot Boat)4,036×1.010=4,074
    St. Clair River & Detroit River/Detroit Pilot Boat3,031×1.010=3,060
    Detroit, Windsor, or Detroit River1,369×1.010=1,382
    Detroit, Windsor, or Detroit River & Southeast Shoal2,317×1.010=2,339
    Detroit, Windsor, or Detroit River & Toledo or any point on Lake Erie W. of Southeast Shoal3,008×1.010=3,037
    Detroit, Windsor, or Detroit River & St. Clair River3,031×1.010=3,060
    Detroit Pilot Boat & Southeast Shoal1,677×1.010=1,693
    Detroit Pilot Boat & Toledo or any point on Lake Erie W. of Southeast Shoal2,317×1.010=2,339
    Detroit Pilot Boat & St. Clair River3,031×1.010=3,060
    Note: Numbers may not total due to rounding.

    Table 37—Proposed Adjustment of Pilotage Rates, Areas in District Three

    2011 RateRate multiplierAdjusted rate for 2012
    Area 6 Lakes Huron and Michigan:
    6-Hour Period$662×1.043=$691
    Docking or undocking629×1.043=656
    Area 7 St. Mary's River between any point on or in:
    Gros Cap & De Tour2,568×1.006=2,583
    Algoma Steel Corp. Wharf, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. & De Tour2,568×1.006=2,583
    Algoma Steel Corp. Wharf, Sault. Ste. Marie, Ont. & Gros Cap967×1.006=973
    Any point in Sault St. Marie, Ont., except the Algoma Steel Corp. Wharf & De Tour2,153×1.006=2,165
    Any point in Sault St. Marie, Ont., except the Algoma Steel Corp. Wharf & Gros Cap967×1.006=973
    Sault Ste. Marie, MI & De Tour2,153×1.006=2,165
    Sault Ste. Marie, MI & Gros Cap967×1.006=973
    Harbor movage967×1.006=973
    Area 8 Lake Superior:
    6-Hour period577×1.015=586
    Start Printed Page 45555
    Docking or undocking549×1.015=557
    Note: Numbers may not total due to rounding.

    VI. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes and executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses based on 14 of these statutes or executive orders.

    A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    Executive Orders 12866 (“Regulatory Planning and Review”) and 13563 (“Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review”) direct agencies to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. This rule is not a “significant regulatory action” under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, the NPRM has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.

    A draft regulatory assessment follows.

    The Coast Guard is required to review and adjust pilotage rates on the Great Lakes annually. See Parts III and IV of this preamble for detailed discussions of the Coast Guard's legal basis and purpose for this rulemaking and for background information on Great Lakes pilotage ratemaking. Based on our annual review for this proposed rulemaking, we are adjusting the pilotage rates for the 2013 shipping season to generate sufficient revenue to cover allowable expenses, target pilot compensation, and returns on investment. The rate adjustments in this proposed rule would, if codified, lead to a cost in all three districts with an estimated cost to shippers of approximately $148,000 across all three districts.

    The proposed rule would apply the 46 CFR part 404, Appendix A, full ratemaking methodology and increase Great Lakes pilotage rates, on average, approximately 1.87 percent overall from the current rates set in the 2012 final rule. The Appendix A methodology is discussed and applied in detail in Part V of this preamble. Among other factors described in Part V, it reflects audited 2010 financial data from the pilotage associations (the most recent year available for auditing), projected association expenses, and regional inflation or deflation. The last full Appendix A ratemaking was concluded in 2011 and used financial data from the 2009 base accounting year. The last annual rate review, conducted under 46 CFR part 404, Appendix C, was completed early in 2011.

    In general, we expect an increase in pilotage rates for a certain area to result in additional costs for shippers using pilotage services in that area, while a decrease would result in a cost reduction or savings for shippers in that area. The shippers affected by these rate adjustments are those owners and operators of domestic vessels operating on register (employed in foreign trade) and owners and operators of foreign vessels on a route within the Great Lakes system. These owners and operators must have pilots or pilotage service as required by 46 U.S.C. 9302. There is no minimum tonnage limit or exemption for these vessels. The Coast Guard's interpretation is that the statute applies only to commercial vessels and not to recreational vessels.

    Owners and operators of other vessels that are not affected by this rule, such as recreational boats and vessels only operating within the Great Lakes system may elect to purchase pilotage services. However, this election is voluntary and does not affect the Coast Guard's calculation of the rate and is not a part of our estimated national cost to shippers. Coast Guard sampling of pilot data suggests there are very few U.S. domestic vessels, without registry and operating only in the Great Lakes that voluntarily purchase pilotage services.

    We used 2008-2010 vessel arrival data from the Coast Guard's Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) system to estimate the average annual number of vessels affected by the rate adjustment to be 204 vessels that journey into the Great Lakes system. These vessels entered the Great Lakes by transiting through or in part of at least one of the three pilotage districts before leaving the Great Lakes system. These vessels often make more than one distinct stop, docking, loading, and unloading at facilities in Great Lakes ports. Of the total trips for the 204 vessels, there were approximately 319 annual U.S. port arrivals before the vessels left the Great Lakes system, based on 2008-2010 vessel data from MISLE.

    The impact of the rate adjustment to shippers is estimated from the District pilotage revenues. These revenues represent the direct and indirect costs (“economic costs”) that shippers must pay for pilotage services. The Coast Guard sets rates so that revenues equal the estimated cost of pilotage.

    We estimate the additional impact (costs or savings) of the rate adjustment in this proposed rule to be the difference between the total projected revenue needed to cover costs in 2013 based on the 2012 rate adjustment and the total projected revenue needed to cover costs in 2013 as set forth in this proposed rule. Table 38 details additional costs or savings by area and district.

    Table 38—Rate Adjustment and Additional Impact of the Proposed Rule by Area and District

    [$U.S.; Non-discounted]

    Projected revenue needed in 2012 *Projected revenue needed in 2013 **Additional costs or savings of this proposed rule
    Area 1$2,308,357$2,404,424$96,067
    Start Printed Page 45556
    Area 21,614,7911,569,160(45,631)
    Total, District One3,923,1483,973,58350,435
    Area 41,310,5491,398,69488,145
    Area 52,600,4902,596,484(4,006)
    Total, District Two3,911,0393,995,17884,139
    Area 62,227,5552,281,67354,118
    Area 71,565,9061,556,517(9,389)
    Area 81,811,8631,780,829(31,034)
    Total, District Three5,605,3245,619,02013,696
    * These 2012 estimates are detailed in Table 18 of the 2012 final rule (76 FR 6351).
    ** These 2013 estimates are detailed in Table 27 of this rulemaking.
    Some values may not total due to rounding.
    “Additional Revenue or Cost of this Rulemaking” = “Revenue needed in 2012” minus “Revenue needed in 2011.”

    After applying the rate change in this proposed rule, the resulting difference between the projected revenue in 2012 and the projected revenue in 2013 is the annual impact to shippers from this rule. This figure would be equivalent to the total additional payments or savings that shippers would incur for pilotage services from this proposed rule. As discussed earlier, we consider a reduction in payments to be a cost savings.

    The impact of the rate adjustment in this proposed rule to shippers varies by area and district. The rate adjustments would lead to a cost in all three districts, with affected shippers operating in District One, District Two, and District Three experiencing costs of $50,435, $84,139, and $13,696, respectively. To calculate an exact cost or savings per vessel is difficult because of the variation in vessel types, routes, port arrivals, commodity carriage, time of season, conditions during navigation, and preferences for the extent of pilotage services on designated and undesignated portions of the Great Lakes system. Some owners and operators would pay more and some would pay less depending on the distance and port arrivals of their vessels' trips. However, the additional savings reported earlier in this NPRM does capture the adjustment the shippers would experience as a result of the proposed rate adjustment. As Table 38 indicates, shippers operating in all areas would experience an annual cost due to this rulemaking. The overall impact of the proposed rule would be a cost to shippers of approximately $148,270 across all three districts.

    This proposed rulemaking would allow the U.S. Coast Guard to meet the statutory requirements to review the rates for pilotage services on the Great Lakes—ensuring proper pilot compensation.

    B. Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have considered whether this proposed rule would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The term “small entities” comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000 people.

    We expect entities affected by the proposed rule would be classified under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code subsector 483—Water Transportation, which includes the following 6-digit NAICS codes for freight transportation: 483111—Deep Sea Freight Transportation, 483113—Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation, and 483211—Inland Water Freight Transportation. According to the Small Business Administration's definition, a U.S. company with these NAICS codes and employing less than 500 employees is considered a small entity.

    For the proposed rule, we reviewed recent company size and ownership data from 2008-2010 Coast Guard MISLE data and business revenue and size data provided by publicly available sources such as MANTA and Reference USA. We found that large, mostly foreign-owned, shipping conglomerates or their subsidiaries owned or operated all vessels engaged in foreign trade on the Great Lakes. We assume that new industry entrants would be comparable in ownership and size to these shippers.

    There are three U.S. entities affected by the proposed rule that receive revenue from pilotage services. These are the three pilot associations that provide and manage pilotage services within the Great Lakes districts. Two of the associations operate as partnerships and one operates as a corporation. These associations are designated the same NAICS industry classification and small entity size standards described above, but they have far fewer than 500 employees; they have approximately 65 total employees combined. We expect no adverse impact to these entities from this proposed rule because all associations receive enough revenue to balance the projected expenses associated with the projected number of bridge hours and pilots.

    Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. If you think that your business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this proposed rule would have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment to the Docket Management Facility at the address under ADDRESSES. In your Start Printed Page 45557comment, explain why you think it qualifies, as well as how and to what degree this proposed rule would economically affect it.

    C. Assistance for Small Entities

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we want to assist small entities in understanding this proposed rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If the proposed rule would affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please consult Mr. Todd Haviland, Management & Program Analyst, Office of Great Lakes Pilotage, Commandant (CG-WWM-2), Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-2037, email Todd.A.Haviland@uscg.mil, or fax 202-372-1909. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities that question or complain about this rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.

    Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to comment on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247).

    D. Collection of Information

    This proposed rule would call for no new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). This rule does not change the burden in the collection currently approved by the Office of Management and Budget Under OMB Control Number 1625-0086, Great Lakes Pilotage Methodology.

    E. Federalism

    A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. We have analyzed this proposed rule under that Order and have determined that it does not have implications for federalism because States are expressly prohibited by 46 U.S.C. 9306 from regulating pilotage on the Great Lakes.

    F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may result in the expenditure by a State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 (adjusted for inflation) or more in any one year. Though this proposed rule would not result in such expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

    G. Taking of Private Property

    This proposed rule would not cause a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights.

    H. Civil Justice Reform

    This proposed rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

    I. Protection of Children

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and would not create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might disproportionately affect children.

    J. Indian Tribal Governments

    This proposed rule does not have tribal implications under Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, because it would not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.

    K. Energy Effects

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a “significant energy action” under that order because it is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.

    L. Technical Standards

    The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies. This proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

    M. Environment

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have made a preliminary determination that this action is one of a category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. A preliminary environmental analysis checklist supporting this determination is available in the docket where indicated under the “Public Participation and Request for Comments” section of this preamble. This rule is categorically excluded under section 2.B.2, figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(a) of the Instruction. Paragraph 34(a) pertains to minor regulatory changes that are editorial or procedural in nature. This proposed rule adjusts rates in accordance with applicable statutory and regulatory mandates. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this proposed rule.

    Start List of Subjects

    List of Subjects in 46 CFR Part 401

    • Administrative practice and procedure
    • Great Lakes
    • Navigation (water)
    • Penalties
    • Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
    • Seamen
    End List of Subjects

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to amend 46 CFR part 401 as follows:

    Start Part Start Printed Page 45558

    PART 401—GREAT LAKES PILOTAGE REGULATIONS

    1. The authority citation for part 401 continues to read as follows:

    Start Authority

    Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2104(a), 6101, 7701, 8105, 9303, 9304; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1; 46 CFR 401.105 also issued under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 3507.

    End Authority

    2. In § 401.405, revise paragraphs (a) and (b), including the footnote to table (a), to read as follows:

    Basic rates and charges on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario.
    * * * * *

    (a) Area 1 (Designated Waters):

    ServiceSt. Lawrence river
    Basic Pilotage1 $18.75 per kilometer or $33.19 per mile.
    Each Lock Transited1 $416.
    Harbor Movage1 $1,361.
    1 The minimum basic rate for assignment of a pilot in the St. Lawrence River is $908, and the maximum basic rate for a through trip is $3,984.

    (b) Area 2 (Undesignated Waters):

    ServiceLake Ontario
    6-Hour Period$851
    Docking or Undocking812

    3. In § 401.407 revise paragraphs (a) and (b), including the footnote to Table (b), to read as follows:

    Basic rates and charges on Lake Erie and the navigable waters from Southeast Shoal to Port Huron, MI.
    * * * * *

    (a) Area 4 (Undesignated Waters):

    ServiceLake Erie (east of Southeast Shoal)Buffalo
    6-Hour Period$828$828
    Docking or Undocking637637
    Any point on the Niagara River below the Black Rock LockN/A1,626

    (b) Area 5 (Designated Waters):

    Any point on or inSoutheast ShoalToledo or any point on Lake Erie west of Southeast ShoalDetroit RiverDetroit Pilot BoatSt. Clair River
    Toledo or any port on Lake Erie west of Southeast Shoal$2,339$1,382$3,037$2,339N/A
    Port Huron Change Point1 4,0741 4,7193,0602,3391,693
    St. Clair River1 4,074N/A3,0603,0601,382
    Detroit or Windsor or the Detroit River2,3393,0371,382N/A3,060
    Detroit Pilot Boat1,6932,339N/AN/A3,060
    1 When pilots are not changed at the Detroit Pilot Boat.

    4. In § 401.410, revise paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) to read as follows:

    Basic rates and charges on Lakes Huron, Michigan, and Superior; and the St. Mary's River.
    * * * * *

    (a) Area 6 (Undesignated Waters):

    ServiceLakes Huron and Michigan
    6-Hour Period$691
    Docking or Undocking656

    (b) Area 7 (Designated Waters):

    AreaDe TourGros CapAny harbor
    Gros Cap$2,583N/AN/A
    Algoma Steel Corporation Wharf at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario2,583973N/A
    Any point in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, except the Algoma Steel Corporation Wharf2,165973N/A
    Sault Ste. Marie, MI2,165973N/A
    Harbor MovageN/AN/A$973

    (c) Area 8 (Undesignated Waters):

    ServiceLake Superior
    6-Hour Period$586
    Docking or Undocking557
    [Amended]

    5. Amend § 401.420 as follows:

    a. In paragraph (a), remove the text “$124” and add, in its place, the text “$126”; and remove the text “$1,942” and add, in its place, the text “$1,972”;

    b. In paragraph (b), remove the text “$124” and add, in its place, the text “$126”; and remove the text “$1,942” and add, in its place, the text “$1,972”; and

    c. In paragraph (c)(1), remove the text “$733” and add, in its place, the text “$744”; and in paragraph (c)(3), remove the text “$124” and add, in its place, the text “$126”, and remove the text “$1,942” and add, in its place, the text “$1,972”.

    [Amended]

    6. In § 401.428, remove the text “$748” and add, in its place, the text “$744”.

    Start Signature

    Dated: July 9, 2012.

    Dana A. Goward,

    Director, Marine Transportation Systems Management, U.S. Coast Guard.

    End Signature End Part End Supplemental Information

    Footnotes

    1.  “On register” means that the vessel's certificate of documentation has been endorsed with a registry endorsement, and therefore, may be employed in foreign trade or trade with Guam, American Samoa, Wake, Midway, or Kingman Reef. 46 U.S.C. 12105, 46 CFR 67.17.

    Back to Citation

    2.  A “Laker” is a commercial cargo vessel especially designed for and generally limited to use on the Great Lakes.

    Back to Citation

    [FR Doc. 2012-18714 Filed 7-31-12; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 9110-04-P

Document Information

Comments Received:
0 Comments
Published:
08/01/2012
Department:
Coast Guard
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Document Number:
2012-18714
Dates:
Comments and related material must either be submitted to our online docket via http://www.regulations.gov on or before October 1, 2012 or reach the Docket Management Facility by that date.
Pages:
45539-45558 (20 pages)
Docket Numbers:
USCG-2012-0409
RINs:
1625-AB89
Topics:
Administrative practice and procedure, Great Lakes, Navigation (water), Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Seamen
PDF File:
2012-18714.pdf
Supporting Documents:
» U.S. DHS/CG - Proposed Tables for Pilotage Rate
» Western Great Lakes Pilots Association, LLP
» Lakes Pilots Association, Inc.
» St. Lawrence Seaway Pilots' Association
» Response To Preliminary Draft USCG Year 2010
» D2 Auditor Comments Responses 2010
» D1 Auditor Comments Responses 2010
CFR: (5)
46 CFR 401.405
46 CFR 401.407
46 CFR 401.410
46 CFR 401.420
46 CFR 401.428